High performance yo-yo with on/off switchable auto-return

ABSTRACT

A high performance yo-yo for performing tricks has a manual-return capability, an auto-return capability, and an on/off switch built into the yo-yo for turning auto-return capability on or off. The yo-yo further includes yo-yo halves, an axle, a spool surrounding the axle between the yo-yo halves for attachment of a string, and a spring-loaded centrifugal clutch. The clutch grips and releases the spool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds a pre-determined rate, the clutch releases to allow the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and when the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, the clutch grips to initiate auto-return. The clutch includes four radially arrayed clutch arms, each having a weighted free end. The clutch further includes two tension springs, each spring providing spring-load to two adjacent clutch arms. The four clutch arms are linked in pairs by expansion joints at the free ends of the arms. The switch is a rotary switch linked to operate the clutch via a cam and cam follower. The yo-yo halves each include a starburst.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to improvements in high performance yo-yos.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to high performance yo-yos, that is, yo-yosadapted to spin or “sleep” for extended times so as to permit lengthyand extended tricks to be performed before the yo-yo is returned to theuser.

One prior art high performance yo-yo of this type is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,895,547 to Amaral. The Amaral yo-yo is capable of spinning(or “sleeping”) for unusually long times yet capable of returning easilyto the user when commanded by a simple flick of the user's wrist.

A prior art high performance yo-yo having auto-return is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,332,102 to Caffrey. The Caffrey yo-yo incorporates abearing pulley about the axle of the yo-yo, and also a clutch mechanism.The use of a bearing pulley in the Caffrey yo-yo provides highperformance free spinning. The clutch mechanism was added to apply africtional grip and thereby provide auto-return because it was believedthat the use of a bearing pulley would prevent the user from easilyretrieving the yo-yo when desired. When throwing the Caffrey yo-yo tomake the yo-yo sleep, the user must impart a relatively strong flick ofthe wrist. This maneuver is not easily learned, especially by beginners.It is highly desirable that a yo-yo be easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The yo-yo of the present invention provides a high performance yo-yo foruse by a user to perform tricks, the yo-yo having a manual-returncapability, an auto-return capability, and an on/off switch built intothe yo-yo. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-return capability may beswitched on or off manually by the user using the switch.

In a preferred embodiment the yo-yo comprises first and secondspaced-apart yo-yo halves, an axle defined by a cylindrical shaftsecurely connecting the axle to the two halves at their centers, a spoolsurrounding the axle between the yo-yo halves, a string attached to thespool, a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutch, and a switch forswitching auto-return on and off.

The clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such thatwhen the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds apre-determined rate, the clutch releases the spool to allow the yo-yo tospin about the spool at the end of the string, and such that when theyo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determined rate, theclutch grips the spool to initiate auto-return.

In the preferred embodiment, the clutch includes four radially arrayedclutch arms, each clutch arm having a pivot end pivotally mounted to oneof four radially arrayed pivot posts, and a weighted free end. Theclutch further includes at least two tension springs, each springcoupling two adjacent clutch arms, such that the two adjacent clutcharms are spring-loaded by the spring to which they are coupled. The twoadjacent clutch arms are positioned as crossed clutch arms, such thateach of the two adjacent clutch arms is spring-loaded by the tensionspring to which it is coupled.

The four radially arrayed clutch arms are disposed as first and secondjointed pairs of clutch arms, each pair of clutch arms jointed at thefree ends of its clutch arms. Each jointed pair defines an expansionjoint at the free ends of its clutch arms. Each expansion joint includesa pin of one clutch arm disposed to slide within an elongated slot of anadjacent clutch arm.

In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a rotary switch having atleast one knob mounted to a disk. The disk has at least one shapedaperture defining a cam surface, through which the pin of one arm of apair of clutch arms extends, such that the shaped aperture and the pinfunction as cam and cam follower.

In the preferred embodiment, the yo-yo halves have facing surfaces, eachof which is provided with an array of raised radially extending ribsabout the axis of rotation of the yo-yo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a yo-yoaccording to the present invention, showing the components of the yo-yoprior to assembly.

FIG. 2 is an upper portion of the exploded view of FIG. 1 enlarged toshow individual components of the clutch.

FIG. 3A is a composite cross-section view of the yo-yo of the preferredembodiment.

FIG. 3B defines the two angles used in the composite cross-section viewin FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half of thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half withthe first cap removed to better show the rotary switch.

FIG. 6 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half withboth the first cap and the rotary switch removed to better show thelayout of the operative parts of the clutch.

FIG. 7A is an axial view of the outer face of the body of the firstyo-yo half showing the shape and location of pivot posts.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section view of the body and pivot posts of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an axial view of the inner face and starburst of the body ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is an axial view of the outer face of the body of the secondyo-yo half.

FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the body of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is an axial view of the inner face and starburst of the body ofFIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show opposite sides of a clutch arm with pin.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show opposite sides of a clutch arm with elongatedslot.

FIG. 11A is an axial view of the first cap of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the first cap of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a cross-section view of the first cap of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is an axial view of the rotary switch of the preferredembodiment.

FIG. 12B is a side view of the rotary switch of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a cross section view across A-A of the rotary switch of FIG.12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General

The yo-yo of the present invention provides a high performance yo-yohaving both a manual-return capability and an on/off switchableauto-return capability. The auto-return capability may be switched on oroff manually using a switch built into the yo-yo.

The yo-yo of the present invention includes a high performance yo-yostructure, similar to that used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,547, comprisingtwo yo-yo halves connected by an axle, with a cylindrical spool mountedfor free rotation on the axle, and a string attached securely to thespool. The yo-yo of the present invention further includes acentrifugal-actuated, tension spring-loaded, clutch mechanism adapted toprovide an auto-return function. In a preferred embodiment, the yo-yoincludes an auto-return on/off switch operable by the user's thumb.

When the auto-return on/off switch is in an “on” position, the highperformance yo-yo of the present invention is capable of spinning (or“sleeping”) for unusually long times, yet capable of returning easily tothe user, either when commanded by a simple flick of the user's wrist,or when the spinning yo-yo slows sufficiently that the centrifugal forceproduced by the spinning is no longer sufficient to hold the clutchopen, whichever occurs first. When the auto-return on/off switch is inan “off” position, the auto-return function is disabled, allowing theyo-yo to spin freely at the end of the string and then be returnedmanually by a flick of the user's wrist.

Thus, the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides a highperformance yo-yo that may be manually switched between an auto-return“on” mode and an auto-return “off” mode, that is easy to operate ineither mode, and that is easy to switch between modes.

Yo-Yo Components

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a yo-yoaccording to the present invention. The main components of yo-yo 20 arefirst yo-yo half 21, axle 23, spool 24, friction ring 25, string 33, andsecond yo-yo half 31. First yo-yo half 21 includes body 22, first cap27, rotary switch 40, and clutch 50. Second yo-yo half 31 includes body32, hexagon nut 34, weighted cylinder 35, and second cap 37. Details offirst cap 27, rotary switch 40, and clutch 50 are shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2 the upper portion of FIG. 1 is shown enlarged to identifyindividual components of the first yo-yo half. Cap 27 defines firstswitch aperture 28 and second switch aperture 29. Rotary switch 40 isformed as disk 49. Disk 49 defines first knob 41 and second knob 42, andfirst shaped aperture 43 and second shaped aperture 46. FIG. 2 alsoshows the several parts of clutch 50. The several parts of clutch 50 andare identified, and their functions are discussed below, under“Operation of Auto-Return Clutch”, with reference to the exploded viewof FIG. 2 and the cut-away axial view FIG. 5.

FIG. 3A is a composite cross-section view of the yo-yo of the preferredembodiment. FIG. 3B defines the two angles used in the compositecross-section view in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half of thepreferred embodiment. In FIG. 3, First yo-yo half 22 is shown to includefirst cap 27 defining first switch aperture 28 and second switchaperture 29. Switch knobs 41 and 42, and portions of switch disk 49 ofrotary switch 40 can be seen through switch apertures 28 and 29. Becausefirst cap 27 is transparent in the preferred embodiment, the centralportion of switch disk 49 can also be seen. Also, because switch disk 49defines a shaped central cut-out, a central portion of the clutch isvisible behind the central cut-out.

FIG. 5 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half withthe first cap removed to better show rotary switch 40. As already notedabove in discussion of FIG. 2, rotary switch 40 is formed as disk 49.Disk 49 defines first knob 41 and second knob 42, and first shapedaperture 43 and second shaped aperture 46. Also noted above indiscussion of FIG. 2, disk 49 defines first shaped aperture 43 andsecond shaped aperture 46. FIG. 5 shows both shaped apertures 43 and 46.Aperture 43 defines first cam 44 and aperture 46 defines second cam 47.Cam follower portions of pins 45 and 48 are shown in contact with firstcam 44 and second cam 47, respectively. Spool 24 (plastic hub) ismounted for free rotation about axle 23, and friction ring 25 is mountedwithin a centering circumferential groove 38 in spool 24, and issurrounded by the teeth of the clutch. Spool 24 and groove 38 are shownin FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6 is an axial view of the outer face of the first yo-yo half withboth the first cap and the rotary switch removed to better show thelayout of the operative parts of clutch 50. Clutch 50 includes fourclutch arms 51-54. Clutch arm 51 includes pin 55, whose end portiondefines second cam follower 48. Clutch arm 52 defines elongated slot 56.Clutch arm 53 includes pin 57, whose end portion defines first camfollower 45. Clutch arm 54 defines elongated slot 56. Clutch arm 51 alsoincludes weighted ball 81 contained within cavity 85. Likewise, clutcharms 52-54 include weighted balls 82-84 contained within cavities 86-88,respectively. Clutch arm 51 is pivotally mounted to first pivot post 91.Likewise, clutch arms 52-54 are pivotally mounted to second pivot post92, third pivot post 93, and fourth pivot post 94, respectively. Theshape and location of pivot posts 91-94 mounted within first body 22 isshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Returning now to FIG. 6, tension spring 68 isattached by screw 95 to clutch arm 51 and by screw 96 to clutch arm 52to apply tension preload between these two adjacent clutch arms.Likewise, tension spring 69 is attached by screws 97 and 98 betweenclutch arms 53 and 54. Clutch pad 71 defines teeth 75. Likewise, clutchpads 72, 73, and 74 define teeth 76, 77 and 78, respectively. In FIG. 6the teeth are shown gripping on friction ring 25. FIG. 7C shows innerface and first starburst 26 of body 22 of the first yo-yo half.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first jointed pair of first and second adjacentclutch arms are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends toform an extendable joint. Clutch arms 52 and 53 are coupled by elongatedslot 56 engaging pin 57 to form a first extendible joint 58. Likewise, asecond jointed pair of first and second adjacent clutch arms (54 and 51)are coupled at points proximate to their weighted ends to form a secondextendible joint 59.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, a first crossed pair of first and secondadjacent clutch arms (clutch arms 51 and 52 whose arms cross) arecoupled at points proximate to their weighted ends by a first tensionspring (tension spring 68). Likewise, a second crossed pair of first andsecond adjacent clutch arms (clutch arms 53 and 54 whose arms cross) arecoupled at points proximate to their weighted ends by a second tensionspring (tension spring 69).

FIG. 8A shows the outer face of body 32 of the second yo-yo half. FIG.8B is a cross-section view. FIG. 8C shows the inner face and secondstarburst 36 of body 32.

FIG. 9A shows clutch arm 51 defining pin 55, pivot end 61, clutch pad71, teeth 75 and cavity 85. FIG. 9B shows the other side of clutch arm51.

FIG. 10A shows clutch arm 52 defining elongated slot 56, pivot end 62,clutch pad 72, teeth 76 and cavity 86. FIG. 10B shows the other side ofclutch arm 52

FIG. 11A shows first cap 27 with switch apertures 28 and 29. FIG. 11B isa side view of first cap 27. FIG. 11C is a cross-section view.

FIG. 12A shows rotary switch 40 as disk 49, and disk 49 defining firstknob 41 and second knob 42, and first shaped aperture 43 and shapedaperture 46. FIG. 12B is a side view. FIG. 12C is a cross section viewacross A-A of the rotary switch of FIG. 12A.

Operation of Auto-Return Clutch

When the auto-return switch is in the “on” position, and the yo-yo isthrown such that the rotational rate of the yo-yo exceeds apre-determined rate, centrifugal force overcomes spring force and allfour expansion joints expand. This causes the clutch to disengage thespool, thereby freeing the yo-yo to spin about the spool at the end ofthe string.

When the auto-return switch is in the “on” position, and the spinningyo-yo slows to less than the pre-determined rate, spring force from thetension springs overcomes centrifugal force from the weighted masses.The resulting movement of the two pins along their associated elongatedslots causes the expansion joints to contract and the clutch to engagethe spool. This couples the spool to the yo-yo, causing the yo-yo toreturn.

Operation of Auto-Return On/Off Switch

Rotary switch 40 (FIG. 5) is coupled to clutch 50 (FIG. 6) for thepurpose of switching auto-return on or off. Referring to FIG. 5, switch40 is switched “auto-return off” by pushing on one or both of knobs 41and 42 to rotate switch disk 49 clockwise. This action moves camfollowers 45 and 48, along the shaped surface of cams 44 and 47,respectively, to cause the expansion joints to open, thereby forcing theclutch to disengage the spool. This action disables auto-return. Withauto-return disabled, the yo-yo spins about the spool at the end of thestring until it is recalled manually by a flick of the user's wrist.

Switch 40 is switched “auto-return on” by pushing on one or both ofknobs 41 and 42 switch disk 49 counter-clockwise.

Manual Return

The yo-yo halves each have facing surfaces with an array of a pluralityof raised radially extending ribs (“starburst”) about the axis ofrotation of the yo-yo. So the yo-yo can be recalled manually by a flickof the user's wrist.

1. A high performance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apartyo-yo halves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connectingmeans for securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at theircenters; a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; astring attached to the spool; a centrifugal-actuated spring-loadedclutch mounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around thespool; and a switch coupled to the clutch.
 2. A yo-yo according to claim1, wherein the clutch includes means for gripping and releasing thespool such that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceedsa pre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow theyo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such thatwhen the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determinedrate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return; andwherein the switch is coupled to the clutch such as to switchauto-return on and off.
 3. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein theclutch includes four radially arrayed clutch arms, each clutch armhaving a pivot end pivotally mounted to one of four radially arrayedpivot posts, and a weighted free end.
 4. A yo-yo according to claim 3,wherein the clutch includes at least two tension springs, each springcoupling two adjacent clutch arms.
 5. A yo-yo according to claim 4,wherein the two adjacent clutch arms are positioned as crossed clutcharms, such that they are spring-loaded by the tension spring to whichthey are coupled.
 6. A yo-yo according to claim 3, wherein the fourradially arrayed clutch arms are disposed as first and second jointedpairs of clutch arms, each pair having jointed free ends.
 7. A yo-yoaccording to claim 6, wherein the jointed free ends define an expansionjoint.
 8. A yo-yo according to claim 7, wherein one clutch arm includesa pin, an adjacent clutch arm defines an elongated slot, and theexpansion joint includes the pin of the one clutch arm and the elongatedslot of the adjacent clutch arm, the pin disposed to slide within theelongated slot.
 9. A yo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the switch is arotary switch.
 10. A yo-yo according to claim 9, wherein the rotaryswitch includes a disk and at least one knob, the at least one knobattached to the disk.
 11. A yo-yo according to claim 10, wherein thedisk defines at least one shaped aperture having a cam surface.
 12. Ayo-yo according to claim 11, wherein the clutch includes at least oneclutch arm, and the at least one clutch arm includes a pin; and whereinthe pin extends into the at least one shaped aperture; such that theshaped aperture and the pin function as cam and cam follower.
 13. Ayo-yo according to claim 1, wherein the yo-yo halves have facingsurfaces, each of which is provided with an array of raised radiallyextending ribs about the axis of rotation of the yo-yo.
 14. A highperformance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apart yo-yohalves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connecting meansfor securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at their centers;a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; a stringattached to the spool; and a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutchmounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around the spool;wherein the clutch includes a plurality of pivotally-mounted,radially-arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm spring-loaded by at leastone tension spring.
 15. A yo-yo according to claim 14, wherein theclutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spool such thatwhen the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds apre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow theyo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such thatwhen the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determinedrate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return.
 16. Ahigh performance yo-yo, comprising: first and second spaced-apart yo-yohalves; an axle defined by a cylindrical shaft having connecting meansfor securely connecting the axle to each of the halves at their centers;a spool situated around the axle between the yo-yo halves; a stringattached to the spool; and a centrifugal-actuated spring-loaded clutchmounted within one of the yo-yo halves and situated around the spool;wherein the clutch includes a plurality of pivotally-mounted,radially-arrayed clutch arms, each clutch arm coupled to an adjacentclutch arm by an expansion joint.
 17. A yo-yo according to claim 16,wherein the clutch includes means for gripping and releasing the spoolsuch that when the yo-yo is thrown and its rotational rate exceeds apre-determined rate, the clutch means releases the spool to allow theyo-yo to spin about the spool at the end of the string, and such thatwhen the yo-yo rotational rate slows to less than the pre-determinedrate, the clutch means grips the spool to initiate auto-return.